The Canadian Mental Health Association Central Region accepted a donation Wednesday that will help support its operations in the region, thanks to the many people who attended the 14th annual MNP Chili Challenge last week.

CMHA Central Region executive director Jordan Friesen says the $3,172 contribution from MNP will go directly to support activities at CMHA's Portage drop-in centre, and to provide professional development for the organization's board.

"For a small non profit, $3,000 goes an awful long way to support what we're trying to do here in Portage," Friesen says. "... To see people come out to specifically support CMHA knowing that's where the money is going, it's really encouraging. It says a lot to me about the community of Portage la Prairie and the reputation of CMHA in the community."

MNP Manager Diane Robertson says attendance at the Chili Challenge was the second highest in its 14 years running. About 265 people came out to sample flavours and test their tongues on various levels of the heat scale.

Robertson adds, being able to support CMHA makes the work that goes into hosting the event all worthwhile.